Electric signalling system for remotely spaced stations



Fri:

March 30, 1965 c. M. FAUST ETAL 3,176,272

ELECTRIC SIGNALLING SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY SPACED STATIONS Filed Sept. 18. 1962 /4 72 Cla udel LFausi" Rober+ TFox INVENTORS 3,176,272 ELECTRIC SIGNALLING SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY SPACED STATIONS Claude M. Faust, 17237 SW. Kelok Road, Portland,

Greg, and Robert '1. Fox, Lake Oswego, Oreg. Filed Sept. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 224,479 7 Claims. (Cl. 340-147) This invention relates to remote signalling systems, and more particularly to a system by which a plurality of remotely located stations may be interconnected for providing information to each other.

Although the present invention has a wide diversity of uses, it is the principal objective of the present invention to provide a signalling system for a plurality of hotels or other hostelries by which each member of thegroup may ascertain which members have vacancies, without the necessity of communicating directly with each member. T Another important object of this invention is the provision of a signalling system of the class described in which all of the remotely located units comprising the "system are synchronized automatically one with the *others. i

Afurther important object of the present invention is the provision of a signalling system of the class described, which is of simplified construction for economical manufacture, which involves a minimum of moving parts, thereby assuring long and faithful operation witha minimum of maintenance and repair, and which operates with speed and precision.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a schematic electrical diagram illustrating a remote signalling system embodying desired number, and all of the units are interconnected electrically by means of transmission lines 12 and 14 A which, conveniently, may be leased telephone lines.

Each unit includes an electric drive motor 16 coupled, preferably through a reduction gear unit (not shown), to the rotary shaft 18 connected to the rotary component 20 of a multiple contact rotary switch. In the embodiment illustrated, the rotary component of the switch is an electrically non-conductive arm which supports the radially spaced brushes 22, 24 and 26, 28. The inner pair of brushes 22, 24 are connected together electrically by the conductor 30, and the outer pair of brushes 26, 28 are connected together electrically by the conductor 32. As-

. sociated with the innermost brush 22 is a continuous annular contact 34 of electrically conductive material, supported upon the fixed component 36 of the switch and arranged concentrically with respect to the rotary shaft 18.

The next outer brush 24 is associated with an annular con-' ductive contact 38 mounted on the fixed switch component in concentric, spaced relation with respect to the inner I contact 34. The second named contact '38 is not continuous, however, but rather is interrupted by the small electrically non-conductive gap 40.

The next outer brush 26 registers with a third annular conductive contact 42 mounted on the fixed switch component 36 in spaced, concentric relation with respect to the next inward contact 38. Like the innermost contact 34, the third named contact 42 forms a continuous ring. The outermost brush 28 is associated with a plurality of United States Patent 3,176,272 Patented Mar. 30-, 1965 ice circumferentially spaced, arcuate, conductive contacts mounted on the fixed switch component 36 in spaced, concentric relation with respect to the next inner contact 42. One of these contacts 44 functions, with the radially aligned gap 40, to synchronize the switches of all units, as explained in detail hereinafter. This contact 44 is herein referred to as the home position contact.

Alternate ones 46 of the remaining 'arcuate contacts are connected each to one terminal of an associated electric signal lamp 48. The other terminal of all of the lamps but one are connected together by the common conductor 50. Each lamp identifies a different one of the hostelries in the group, and the one lamp 48a not connected to the common conductor identifies the hostelry in which that particular unit is located. Thus, the unit shown at the bottom in the drawing is located in thehostelry which is identified on all of the units as No. 7, by lamp 480. Similarly, the unit shown at the top in the drawing is located in the hostelry which is identified on all of the units as No. 9, by lamp 48'b. There being ten lamps in each of the units illustrated, there can be as many as ten hostelries associated as a group.

It will be apparent that each unit includes a housing (not shown) on which the lamps 48 are mounted for viewing. The name of each hostelry in the group prefer-ably is displayed adjacent its corresponding lamp on each unit, for ready identification.

Also mounted on the housing is a toggle switch 52 and a push button switch 54, the functions of which are described in detail hereinafter.

The remaining circuitry associated with each unit is best described in connection with the operation of the system, as follows:

Each unit, located in a different hostelry, is connected to a conventional 117 volt alternating current source by means of the plug 56 connected to the primary winding 58 of the transformer. The drive motor 16 is connected across the secondary winding 60 of the transformer, through the normally open contact 62 of relay 64, whereby all of the drive motors normally are in a deactivated condition.

In the event any of the units are not in the proper starting position when plugged into the supply, i.e. with the rotary arm 20 positioning the brush 24 on the non-conductive gap 40, an electric circuit is completed from the sec ondary winding 60 through the rectifier 66, through the relay 64, thence through the annular contact 38 and its associated brush 24, thence through the conductor-connected brush 22. and associated inner contact 34, back to the reference end of the transformer secondary. The relay 64 thus is energized, closing its normally open contact 62 and completing the electric circuit of the drive motor 16. Accordingly, the drive motor continues to rotate the arm 20 clockwise until it arrives at the home position contact 44, as illustrated. In this position the outer brush 24 of the inner pair is positioned in the gap 40 separating the ends of the annular contact 38, thereby opening the circuit to the relay 62 and consequently opening the circuit of the drive motor Accordingly, it will be apparent that all of the units normally will be synchronized for starting from the home position.

Let it now be assumed that hostelry No. 7 has no vacancies andthat hostelry No. 9 does have a vacancy. Accordingly, the toggle switch 52 on the unit of No. 7 is retained in the open condition, and the toggle switch 52 of the No. 9 unit has been closed, as illustrated, to indicate a vacancy. Assume now that a party inquires for lodging at hostelry No. 7. Since that hostelry has no vacancy, the clerk proceeds to determine whichhostelries of the group still have vacancies, so that he may either direct the party to the vacancy of telephone for a reservation.

8 Accordingly the clerk at'hostelryNo. 7 depresses the push button switch 54 to check for vacancies in the. associated hostelries. t a

With the push button switch .54 maintained closed, a

"circuit isfcornpleted from the secondary winding 60 through the-rectifier 68'and'push' button switch 5.4',

through the resistor 70 and home .contactr44," thence 'throu'gh the connected outer pairof brushes' 26, 28 and the outer annular contact 42, through the fuse 72 t'o the positive telephone line"12.' f'jThe negative telephone line 14 is connected to' the reference end of the secondary winding 60 through the normally closed contact 74 of the rotary arm 20 in each un' continues' to rotate clocka wise without activating any of the lamps Nos. 1-8 on the' checking u'nit No. 7.

I When the outer brush'28 engages the arcuate contact 46 associated with the lamp 48 designating hostelry'No.

9 (which had the toggle switch 52 on its unit closed to indicate a acancy), the closed toggle switch completes a short across the telephonetlines 12, 1 4. Accordingly,

' 'lamp, 'No. 9 is caused to be activated in-the checking unit No. 7,'thereby giving the clerk in hostelry No; 7 visible 7 indication that hostelry No. 9 has. a vacancy. The clerk the relay/76. -It is to be noted that this relay is connected 7 secondary winding 60, through the rectifier 66. Accordingly, this relay remains energized at all' times, maintaini ng its associated contact 74 normally closed.

' 'Accordingly,"a potential of 100 volts, for example, is

permanently across the lower portion of the transformer 1 then may either direct the inquiring party toihostelry No. 9, orihe may telephone hostelry No. 9 and make reservation for the party. a 1 The rotary arm in allot theiunit's continues to rotate from the No. -9 arcuate contact until theyreach the home H positionindicatedin" the drawing; At this point each brush'24 rests in the, gap 40, thereby disconnecting the applied fromthe secondary winding across the telephone I lines. Thispotential thus is applied to allsof the other units inthe. groups.

Since all-of: the other ,unitslin the group are arranged I in parallel, the operation of each .un'it is illustrated by the following operation or the unit at the top inthe draw- I The aforementioned potential across to the telephone end ofwinding '60; I h 7 simultaneously W h closure'of switch 574 in the bottom I two inner annularcontacts 34,38 and breaking the circuit of the lrelay64. Deactivation ofrelay 64 effects opening of its-associated contact 62 in the electric circuit of the'drive motor 16.

Closing of'the toggle switch 52 inthe unit-of hostelry -No.'9 also preferably completes anflelectric circuit from .the rectifier 68ithroughithe resistor 86' and the No; 9

lamp .48b :through the closedutoggle switch to, the reference end of the secondary winding 60. Thus, the No.

' a '9' lamp is-activ'ated'on the unit in hostelryjNo. 9,to pro-v vacancy. a

.7 As the rotary I throughjts cycle, the outer brush 28 disenga'ges'from one unit 10, the aforementioned potential ispapplied to the base-emitter circuitfof the'transist'oi' 82 in that unit.

h The transistorswin all of. the units thus are activated, thereby completing inxeachunit the circuitof' the relay 64 from the secondarywindingfitlthrough the rectifier 66 and relay [64,throi1gh thefcolle'ctor-emittercircuit of the transistor 82 to the: reference end; of, thellsecondary winding 60. ACtiVatlOH Off the re1ay..64 closes its asso-' ciated contact 62 and completes the electric circuit of the drive motor'16in-each'uniL-T The rotary switch'arm- 20in each unit thus begins'to rotate'clockwise', and since all drive motors are alike the arms '20 all rotate at the V same speed. a V 7 When the outer pairxof brushes 26, 28 inv each unit the inner two annular contacts 34, 38 which, as described hereinbefore, serve 'to' complete the circuit of-the relay 64 and thus maintain the drive motor. 16 inoperation.

When-the outer brush 28 reaches the arcuatecontact 46 connected to the Nofil lamp 48, connection is made in the checking unit No'. 7 '(bottompf thedrawing) from the positive telephone :line 12 through the fuse andtthe outer annular contact 42, 'throughflthe' outer pair of brushes 26, 28 and the'arcuat'e contact 46,-thrdi1gh the vide a visiblereminder for the clerk that, he is, advising the other. members of thegroup thathis hos'telry has a arm 20 ofeachunit rotates clockwise of the arcuate-contacts 46 and then makes contactwith a small arcuate contact 88 interposedbetween'adjacent contacts. 46. These Contacts 88. are connected together in series" by the common conductor 90 which, in turn, is

connected through the voltage dividing resistors 92, 94 and rectifier 68 to the secondary winding of the transformer. Thus, there is applied to eachof the contacts 88a voltage of,'for example, 35- volts which s'erves'to maintainthe ,telephone lines chargedtothat:potential.

the inherent capacitance which'shunts the two telephone In this manner lines is maintained charged to a suificient value that it will not charge againthrough the lamp s 46, causing the latter to flash a false'indication of vacancy.

' Although the'time of the vacancy checking cycle may be varied as desired, it has been found thata fifteen second 7. 1 cycle is quite satisfactory foruni'tsha'ving as-many as 50 1. break contact between the home contact 4.4,and the outer annular contact 42,! the circuit ..to' the transistor 82 is a broken. However, shortly before that condition.- :is reached the'inner. pair: of brushes 22,, 24 interconnect twenty IampSKaccOmmOdatinga twenty member group). As 'explai'ned ,hei'einbefor'e',' it is preferredthat the clerk he required to maintain th'e'buttonf depressed during the switch upon the completion of a cycle, thus requiring only No.1 lamp and: common conductor 50, then'ce:through"' I the resistor 84 and the closed push button switch 54, which is held down by the clerk during the vacancy check,

- through the rectifier 68 and the lower. section of the sec ondary winding 60, thence through thenormallyjclosed contact 74 of therelay 76 to the negativetelephone line I 14. Accordingly, it willtbe'understood thatif a@ short circuit werefplaced across the telephone lines .12 and 14 ,the No.1lamp would ,lighflindicating'a'vacancy in the 'hostelry No.'1.' However,'let it be assumed that'hostelries No s.1-8 have no vacancies and therefore the toggleli q switches 52in those-units remain open, Accordingly,

za momentary-operation by the: clerk. Alternatively, the push button switch may be replaced by a toggle switch 7 to'permit-continuous operation of the unit. However, this is; undesirable from the standpoint'of operating'life of the units and the correspondingly increased frequency of mainf tenance and repair. i

' In 'additio n to interconnecting a pluralityof hostelries f the purpose; described, some un ts iii a g p y'b 05- k ej dio thep appr priate stations from which it would be de- 'sirable to obtain V Ca CY i rm I 7 located atfairportterrninals,tourist information centers Although the system has been described hereinbe'fore in' association lwith a plurality of 'hostel'ries, it will be apparent that the systemmay be utilizedfor' other purposes, The pushbuttonfiswitch 54"or toggle switch 52 may 'be op-,

l erated automatically upon theat tainrnent or development of a specified condition,"and thelarnps'may be replaced'by other electric loads such as relays for controlling a subsequent operation.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the details of construction described hereinbefore, without departing from the spirit of this invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having now described our invention and the manner in which it may be used, What we claim as new and desire to secure by letters Patent is:

1. An electric system for actuating electric loads at a plurality of remotely located stations, comprising at each station a plurality of electric loads each having an electric circuit and each designating a different one of said stations, at each station a movable scanner switch including a plurality of operating switches one connected in the electric circuit of each of said loads, an electric circuit interconnecting the plurality of scanner switches and loads, the scanner switches being arranged to actuate simultaneously all of the operating switches designating the same one of the stations, electric drive means for each scanner switch for actuating the associated operating switches one at a time, each electric drive means having an electric circuit, electric drive control means at each station including switch means in the electric circuit of each drive means for controlling the operation of the latter, an electric circuit interconnecting the plurality of drive control means, control switch means at each station in the electric circuit of the scanner switches and each operable at its station for releasably completing the electric circuit of its designating loads at the other stations, and start switch means at each station in the electric circuit of the drive control means and each operable at its station for actuating the plurality of drive control means simultaneously from said station.

2. The system of claim 1 including electric synchronizing means associated with each drive control means for maintaining the scanner switches in said arranged condition.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein each scanner switch includes a synchronizing switch arranged in the circuit of the drive control means.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein each scanner switch has a rotary section and each drive means comprises an electric motor having a rotary output shaft engaging the rotary section of the switch.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said electric loads are indicators, said stations are hostelries, and the electric circuits include electric transmission lines common to said hostelries.

6. An electric system for actuating electric loads at a plurality of remotely located stations, comprising at each station an electric device including a scanner switch having a fixed section and a rotary section, a plurality of circumferentially spaced electric contacts on the fixed switch section, first brush means on the rotary switch section, conductor means connecting the first brush means to one of a pair of transmission lines common to all stations, an electric load connected to each contact at one of the load terminals, conductor means connecting together all but one of the other load terminals, a start switch connecting said conductor means to one side of a source of electric potential the other side of which is connected to the other of said pair of transmission lines, control switch means connecting the contact associated with said one of the other load terminals to said other transmission line, an electric drive motor having a rotary driven shaft engaging the rotary switch section, motor switch means connecting the drive motor to a source of electric potential, electric motor switch actuator means having one terminal connected to one side of a source of electric potential the other side of which is connected to said other transmission line, an annular electrically conductive contact on the fixed scanner switch section having an electrically nonconductive segment separating the spaced ends of the contact, the other terminal of the actuator means being connected to said annular contact, second brush means on the rotary switch section and associated with the annular contact, conductor means connecting the second brush means to said other transmission line, a home position contact on the fixed switch section aligned with the nonconductive segment of the annular contact and disposed for engagement by the first brush means, conductor means connecting the home position contact to the first named source of potential through said start switch, and a transistor having its base-emitter circuit connected between the home position contact and said other transmission line, and its emitter-collector circuit shunting the annular contact and second brush means.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said electric loads are indicator lamps, said stations are hostelries, and the transmission lines include telephone transmission lines common to said hostelries.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,965,393 Schleicher et a1. July 3, 1934 2,710,392 Jammer June 7, 1955 2,980,890 Staten Apr. 18, 1961 2,990,537 Putz June 27, 1961 

1. AN ELECTRIC SYSTEM FOR ACTUATING ELECTRIC LOADS AT A PLURALITY OF REMOTELY LOCATED STATIONS, COMPRISING AT EACH STATION A PLURALITY OF ELECTRIC LOAD EACH HAVING AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT AND EACH DESIGNATING A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID STATIONS, AT EACH STATION A MOVABLE SCANNER SWITCH INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF OPERATING SWITCHES ONE CONNECTED IN THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT OF EACH OF SAID LOADS, AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTERCONNECTING THE PLURALITY OF SCANNER SWITCHES AND LOADS, THE SCANNER SWITCHES BEING ARRANGED TO ACTUATE SIMULTANEOUSLY ALL OF THE OPERATING SWITCHES DESIGNATING THE SAME ONE OF THE STATIONS, ELECTRIC DRIVE MEANS FOR EACH SCANNER SWITCH FOR ACTUATING THE ASSOCIATED OPERATING SWITCHES ONE AT A TIME, EACH ELECTRIC DRIVE MEANS HAVING AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT, ELECTRIC DRIVE CONTROL MEANS AT EACH STATION INCLUDING SWITCH MEANS IN THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT OF EACH DRIVE MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE LATTER, AN ELECTRIC CIRCUIT INTERCONNECTING THE PLURALITY OF DRIVE CONTROL MEANS, CONTROL SWITCH MEANS AT EACH STATION IN THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT OF THE SCANNER SWITCHES AND EACH OPERABLE AT ITS STATION FOR RELEASABLY COMPLETING THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT OF ITS DESIGNATING LOADS AT THE OTHER STATIONS, AND START SWITCH MEANS AT EACH STATION IN THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT OF THE DRIVE CONTROL MEANS AND EACH OPERABLE AT ITS STATION FOR ACTUATING THE PLURALITY OF DRIVE CONTROL MEANS SIMULTANEOUSLY FROM SAID STATION. 